OAKLAND – A year ago at this time, the Atlanta Braves were asking so much in exchange for first baseman Mark Teixeira that Angels general manager Tony Reagins did not think a trade was possible.

In the days before the non-waiver trade deadline, though, the price dropped considerably. The Angels were able to make the most significant midseason acquisition in franchise history at the modest cost of a replaceable first baseman (Casey Kotchman) and a mid-level pitching prospect (Stephen Marek).

That’s why Reagins is ruling nothing out in the final two weeks before this year’s trade deadline — including an acquisition as significant as starting pitcher Roy Halladay.

“I think it (the trade market) is still materializing,” Reagins said, declining to talk about any specific player. “I wouldn’t write off anything with respect to an acquisition.

“Sometimes things materialize when you don’t expect them to. Sometimes when you’re trying to make them materialize, they just don’t come to fruition.”

Pitching continues to be the primary item on Reagins’ shopping list with a reliever the Angels could plug into the eighth inning in front of closer Brian Fuentes the most urgent need.

The Angels did not see Matt Herges (recently designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians) as the solution to that problem and Reagins said they had no interest in signing him before Herges signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.

The Angels might find some bullpen help in Triple-A. Jose Arredondo struck out two in 11/3 innings Thursday, and Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the reports were that Arredondo had “the best stuff he’s had this year — upwards of 94 (mph), good slider, good split (-finger fastball).”

Arredondo has made just two appearances for Salt Lake since returning from the DL (elbow inflammation).